Category Archives: Cole Hamels

Perhaps it was the clashing of personalities with manager Larry Bowa. Or maybe it was the comment made by front office member Dallas Green. Or maybe it was the desire to win that ended it all in Philadelphia.

Whatever the reason was, Scott Rolen wanted out in 2002.

For the next decade, Philadelphia fans would boo their once-lauded All-Star, Gold-Glove third baseman, yell obscenities at him and watch him go on to hav a successful career without Philadelphia. Why? Because they were hurt.

But maybe the fans were booing the wrong guy.

Rolen turned down a massive contract extension during the 2002 season, saying that it wasn’t money but the Phillies front office didn’t have an aggressive approach to building a winning team.

Fans got scared that the best position player in their team history since Mike Schmidt, another third baseman, was about to jump ship for greener pastures.

Howard’s two-run blast off Edgin in the 9th inning gave the Phillies a 3-2 lead and win, helping them in their chase for the post season.

Howard struggled at the dish, striking out twice before his 9th inning at bat.

“I was struggling, period. There’s no secret about it,” Howard said. “Even throughout the entire game today, I struggled trying to catch up to the fastball. My swing was a little long. I just caught up to a fastball and was able to get a big hit.”

HOUSTON — A night after blowing a 4-0 lead, the Phillies made sure that they didn’t suffer a similar fate against the Astros this time around.

After the Astros cut the Phillies lead to 5-3 courtesy of a Matt Downs two-run home run, the offense showed up in a big way. The Phillies tacked on four insurance runs on their way to a 12-6 victory on Friday night.

John Mayberry Jr. led the charge as he went 3-for-4 with 3 RBIs and a run scored. Each Phillies starter minus Carlos Ruiz, had at least one hit.

ATLANTA — Words still can’t describe what happened to the Phillies Sunday evening.

In a season filled with lows and late-inning collapses, the lowest point hit Sunday. The Phillies bullpen coughed up a four-run lead in the 9th inning, ultimately surrendering a game to the Braves in epic melt down fashion.

Possibly a bad idea, Jeremy Horst started the 9th after pitching an inning and a third. Holding a 7-3 lead, he gave up a one-out walk and single before being lifted for Jonathan Papelbon.

Papelbon quickly struck out Lyle Overbay for the second out, but walked Michael Bourn to load the bases.

After failing to bring home the winning run in the 9th and 10th innings with runners in scoring positon, the Phillies sealed the deal in the 11th inning. With the bases loaded, John Mayberry Jr. hit a grounder in the gap between short stop and third to win the game for the Phillies, 4-3.

The RBI single finished off four unanswered runs that enabled the Phillies to make the come-from-behind win.

Phillies catcher Erik Kratz is greeted at the top of the dugout by manager Charlie Manuel (right) and Chase Utley (26) after Kratz’s solo home run in the top of the 2nd inning. (Photo by Mike McGinnis/Getty Images)